Horror TV Preview

With the Halloween season upon us, our writers get into the spirit of things by taking a look at some of the exciting horror themed shows heading our way.

Ash Vs. Evil Dead

After literally decades of waiting (unless you count a few hit-and-miss video games) Bruce Campbell’s iconic, fast-talking, deadite-slayer Ash Williams is finally returning to our screens. It may well be a slightly smaller outing than some fans were hoping for, but with original Evil Dead maestro Sam Raimi on-board for this new series, and early trailers proving to be just as bloody and sassy as the original films, there is certainly hope at the end of the tunnel. Look out for a new generation of boomstick-related fun coming soon.

Words by Ben Robins.

American Horror Story: Hotel

American Horror Story can be a little hit and miss where the horror stakes are concerned – while the first half of Murder House had some truly terrifying moments, Freak Show seemed to rely on the visual shock of the ‘freaks’ in an attempt to fulfill the horror aspect of the show, rather than presenting a truly creepy viewing experience. American Horror Story: Hotel looks set to redress this balance, thanks to the new location and the dual threats, which are both supernatural and human in nature. Set in Los Angeles, in the Hotel Cortez, this series of the anthology show features Lady Gaga as The Countess, the owner of the hotel, and two murderous antagonists: The Addiction Demon and The Ten Commandments Killer. The former haunts the hotel, whilst the latter is a human serial killer who uses biblical teachings to justify themselves.

Hotel features many of American Horror Story’s long standing cast members, including Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Denis O’Hare, Lily Rabe, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Angela Bassett, Chloë Sevigny, Finn Wittrock, Wes Bentley, Mare Winningham, and Matt Bomer, but is the first of the anthology series not to feature Jessica Lange. Also joining the cast is Cheyenne Jackson, Naomi Campbell and Max Greenfield. Creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuck promises that this new series will have a darker tone than previous ones.

American Horror Story: Hotel airs on Fox on 20th October at 10.00pm.

Words by Rebecca James.

Scream Queens

Following on from previous hits Glee and American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy combines his talents for the ghoulish and camp in Scream Queens. A tongue-in-cheek take on the slasher genre, the show focuses on an exclusive sorority being terrorised by the Red Devil, a serial killer seemingly out to avenge a death which took place in the house twenty years ago. Anyone looking for serious scares may be turned off by its comic approach, but the inventive murders and intriguing mystery will draw you in. Alongside Murphy-alumni Emma Roberts and Lea Michele, is veteran horror star Jamie Lee Curtis as the university’s dean.